L.A. Now Live: Mayor Garcetti's plan for greater earthquake safety

Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, left, City Council members Tom LaBonge and Mitch Englander and U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones take part in a City Hall news conference to announce an earthquake safety initiative.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, left, City Council members Tom LaBonge and Mitch Englander and U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones take part in a City Hall news conference to announce an earthquake safety initiative. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Lin and Xia have been reporting extensively on the issue of earthquake safety in the city. In their latest article, they analyzed Garcetti's announcement Tuesday of an ambitious plan to tackle the issue, including a new effort to strengthen vulnerable buildings.

The announcement was made in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake, with Garcetti saying the city would partner for the first time with the U.S. Geological Survey for the effort.

The move comes as city officials are considering several seismic safety initiatives. Taken together, they mark the most significant effort to improve earthquake safety in L.A. in a generation.

As if on cue, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck three miles north of Fontana early Wednesday morning, although no injuries were immediately reported.

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